The US money would provide drugs for two million people with the disease and help to prevent seven million new infections, he said.

Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said generic Aids drugs manufactured by Cipla, an Indian company, will be among those recommended to the 14 nations getting help.

Just last month, the Bush administration blocked plans by the World Trade Organisation to allow developing countries to buy cheap drugs, saying a deal would allow too many patents to be ignored.

Condom criticism

Mr Fauci said condom distribution would be part of the prevention component - but so would abstinence education.